32 THE HISTORY OF THE SOUTH POLE 



The Swedish Antarctic expedition under Dr. Otto 

 Nordenskjold left Gothenburg on October 16, 1901, in 

 the Antarctic, commanded by Captain C. A. Larsen, 

 already mentioned. The scientific staff was composed 

 of nine specialists. 



After calling at the Falkland Islands and Staten 

 Island, a course was made for the South Shetlands, 

 which came in sight on January 10, 1902. 



After exploring the coast of Louis Philippe Land, 

 the ship visited Weddell Sea in the hope of getting 

 southward along King Oscar II. Land, but the ice 

 conditions were difficult, and it was impossible to reach 

 the coast. 



Nordenskjold and five men were then landed on 

 Snow Hill Island, with materials for an observatory 

 and winter quarters and the necessary provisions. The 

 ship continued her course northward to the open sea. 



The first winter on Snow Hill Island was unusually 

 stormy and cold, but during the spring several interest- 

 ing sledge journeys were made. When summer arrived 

 the Antarctic did not appear, and the land party were 

 obliged to prepare for a second winter. In the 

 following spring, October, 1903, Nordenskjold made a 

 sledge journey to explore the neighbourhood of Mount 

 Haddington, and a closer examination showed that the 

 mountain lay on an island. In attempting to work 

 round this island, he one day stumbled upon three 

 figures, doubtfully human, which might at first sight 



